#it’s not about. fucking. liking morgana.
Text
I feel like when people compare Akechi to Light Yagami, they fundamentally misunderstand his character. Their similarities really end at their designs, and Light is the kind of person Akechi would despise.
Light Yagami lives a pretty privileged life at the start of Death Note. He has a stable home, with two parents and a sister who care about him. He's a successful student. There isn't really inherent tragedy to his life. The whole reason he starts using the Death Note is a mix of curiosity and a jaded worldview, and when it works it empowers him, very quickly goes to his head, as he believes he is one who can be a god of a "new world" once the shock of his initial kills wears off. While his first kill was to help someone, that altruism didn't last. He is in charge of his choices, while Ryuk mostly vibes and maybe eggs him on a little. Fundamentally, Light has something Akechi lacks: agency, and a comfortable life he took for granted.
Meanwhile, Akechi is someone who lived on the bottom rung of Japanese society. His very existence is shameful there, between his mother being a sex worker, his status as an illegitimate/"throw away" child, and his mother's suicide. Years languishing in a foster system that is notoriously inhumane, in a country where 90% of the adoptions are grown men for inheritance and patriarchal reasons, while very few children in the system find permanent homes.
When Akechi awakens his power, he approaches Shido not because he wants to kill people but for a stupid revenge plan cooked up by a traumatized child who's been nudged along by a malevolent god. He wants to build Shido up so that at the height of his power, he can expose him for the monster he really is, while another part of him genuinely wants to be useful to Shido, as Cogkechi later calls out. His feelings are a mess of contradictions, and so it's no surprise that Shido was able to mold him into his assassin at only 15 years old.
It's also worth noting that Akechi only approaches Shido with his ability to cause psychotic breakdowns. Shido is the one who teaches and instructs him to do shutdowns. He's still complicit, very sunk cost with his revenge plan, but as I spoke of here, even if he wanted to quit, he couldn't alone.
Shido's cleaner and control of the law and ability to effortlessly turn him in would render the Metaverse his only safe haven.
I think people look at 11/20 Akechi and Akechi in the early parts of the engine room and assume that's just his "true self," when in reality it's another mask. Royal makes it very clear because in Rank 7, he outright warns Joker of what's to come via a pool metaphor and offers an out (though he's MUCH happier if you don't take it/stick to your principles), and in Rank 8, he goes on that big "I hate you" speech... while Sunset Bridge is playing. Y'know, the song that plays at the end of most confidants to reaffirm bonds.
So when he smiles as he shoots what he assumes to be Joker, that doesn't mean he's genuinely happy. More likely, he's an emotional clusterfuck, given he also is disoriented enough to namedrop "Shido-san" over the phone, and in the subsequent meeting with Shido, tells him not to kill the Phantom Thieves and that Morgana is "just a cat."
Yes, he says they'll make them fear for the rest of their lives, but remember, he's talking to Shido. The things he says are likely all incredibly calculated to sound appealing to Shido. And when you consider that he planned to utterly destroy Shido's reputation after the election, the "delay" makes even more sense.
Later, Akechi goes on about how the people he induced shutdowns on were deserving of their fates, but I don't think he believes it so much as it's the only way he could convince himself that it was worth it, and given how much society failed him, and given how many of the people he targeted were likely rivals/competitors or rich fucks, I think he'd be less inclined to assume good faith.
Kunikazu Okumura was not an innocent little victim, after all. He was one of the people who requested breakdowns and shutdowns the most. I think Akechi enjoyed killing him not because of how it'd hurt Haru, but because of catharsis. Because Okumura is just as monstrous as Shido, so why should he feel remorse? However, I don't believe he feels the same about Wakaba, as when he discusses her with Shido, he mentions how her fate was because she refused to willingly work for him.
It's another justification, but I personally think Wakaba's death was the most painful for him because he was effectively making Futaba just like him. That's why I think his reaction to Sae threatening Sojiro's custody was genuine.
Anyway, evil grinning Akechi is just another mask, as I said. Keep in mind, this is someone who laments not meeting Joker years ago, someone who Morgana outright points out is lying about his hatred.
And that's the thing. Light Yagami, while a really fascinating character, is not someone who had all this childhood suffering or lack of agency. He does not regret his actions in the slightest and goes down due to his own hubris in both the anime and the manga. While you can argue that Ryuk set him up by dropping the Death Note, Light was the one who picked it up and chose to use it. Any nudging from Ryuk didn't coerce Light into doing it because Light seized the opportunity.
No, if Light Yagami is like anyone in Persona 5, it's Masayoshi Shido, not Goro Akechi. Both believe they are god/god's chosen, that they are the ones who will reshape the world to their ideals, and to be frank, both use and abuse women to serve their own purposes.
Goro Akechi goes down sacrificing himself for the Thieves and pleading with them to stop his father and again in Maruki's reality when he refuses to let Joker accept a gilded prison of a world for his sake when he knows better than anyone what it's like to have no true freedom. If you max his confidant, you see him in the postcredits, leaving his survival entirely possible, and I think it works because at the end of the day, Akechi was meant to be a victim and a foil.
Light is a villain protagonist and a cautionary tale. Though its his POV we follow, he isn't someone we're meant to root for, but I definitely don't think enjoying the character is a bad thing at all. He's really interesting! I just think that a lot of the Akechi and Light comparisons are surface level at best.
580 notes
·
View notes
Note
21
24
27
And
30
LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
thank you so much, I shall answer these prompts NEOW
21: Fics you wish you could find more of?
Oooohhh more fics involving Gwen, that's for sure. When she's written right she's one of the strongest, most relatable characters imo, 'cause all she wants is for the world to be right and just and kind and everything wants to prove her wrong, but she won't back down from her views. I would also adore more Elyan, just in general. And complete rewrites of the show 'cause the one I'm reading right now is so good I might do one as well. Also modern au's where they're all like secret badass spies or smth, 'cause those are so fucking cool (i am accepting fic recs for ALL of this, please feed me y'all)
24: Everyone knows that fandom doesn’t like uther but what are your feelings about gaius?
I think 1) we need more concrete info about how he was when he was younger, but 2) i think he is severely complicated and wanted what was best of merlin and morgana, but failed the two while also giving them a ton of love. With morgana, he just didnt want her to pursue her power lest she become uther's next victim, cuz gaius cares for the pendragon siblings like his own. With merlin, he was just trying his best with his overpowered nephew, who alos has a destiny regarding his people's genocide's son, and he just doesn't know what to do half the time, kinda like merlin. I didnt like how he lied to merlin n morgana, how he gaslit her and how he made merlin hide and become so anxious abt his magic (and we see what that looks like season 5), but i get it. I really get it. I dont know what i wouldve done if one wrong move could mean the death of two kids he considers his own. I bet he was scared all the time and hated himself for it.
27: Modern Merlin headcanons, if any?
OH BOY. OHHHH BOY. So many. It really depends on what au i have for modern merlin, but I'll give you a few generals:
he's a teacher of sorts; i like the idea that he's kinda collecting magical anomalies and teaching them how to understand their powers and being, since he knows what its like to be afraid of urself, so he's a personal magic teacher. I also rly like my magic elementary school au, since its merlin teaching magic to a bunch of kids, which is adorable
he has officially one cat, a black one called Midnight, that accidentally became immortal along the way and now hes severally attached. I say officially since hes also friends with any other animal that he might come across and they recognise him if he passes them again. disney princess fr
he's figured out his gender and he can turn into a woman if he wants; she looks exactly like merlin, same height, same weight n muscles, the hair is longer cuz merlin likes it that way and her voice is deep and gorgeous
his favourite weapon is a staff or any long distance fighting weapon of the sort; also he looks cool as fuck fighting with it, but thats just a bonus
I'll stop here but i have SO MANY MORE
30: Side character death that makes you the maddest?
Elyan. There was, quite literally, no need for it. I was gonna say Lancelot, since we did not get enough of him, but his death made sense for his character. Elyan? What the fuck was that? It was just for pain and nothing else. What did it add to the story if not just a sad funeral scene and thats it? It just felt like they wanted him gone n found a way, and that pisses me off. I feel like him saving gwen and living would've given such a complex situation when she turns evil, 'cause what if she "confides" more n more in her brother, creating a rift between arthur n elyan, which then creates a rift between arthur n the knights, which would just isolate him further n make him suffer, which is what morgana wanted!! we couldve had protective brother elyan! I think i just wanted more knights in general.
Thank you so much for this ask, I yapped a fuck ton but it was funn
#merlin#bbc merlin#come get yall headcanons#hey look i posted a thing#merlin prompts#this was so fun
28 notes
·
View notes
Text
like i know everybody thinks i’m being a hater and a cunt when i say stuff like this and i know it makes you not like me and whatever but i do genuinely think most people are watching bbc merlin wrong. like. i can tell when you don’t care about women even when you think you do. saying you like morgana isn’t what makes you an anti-misogyny viewer of this show that has so so so many problems with misogyny. being able to actively notice and describe the misogyny inherent to every single plot point is what makes you an anti-misogyny viewer. “it doesn’t matter it’s a tv show” actually it DOES matter, and dismissing the very real impact misogynistic popular media has on the real world is like. pretty damaging. to say the least. saying it doesn’t matter that a show produced for a young audience, based off of a very popular collection of stories, that has left enough of a cultural impact over the 14 years since it’s initial release that i am here making this post, saying it doesn’t matter how that show has consistently put out misogynistic messages is like saying propaganda isn’t an issue. this is a show with misogyny baked into its very framework. and sitting here watching people talk about it like that massive issue doesn’t exist is infuriating to me. yes i also watched and enjoyed the show a great deal. however i have been knowledgeable and critical from day one. i don’t know if you recall, i initially did NOT ever want to watch this show because of these very issues. to see people get into it because it’s “gay” and “fun” is insane to me. it’s gay because it hates women. it’s gay because it hates women. it’s gay because it fucking hates women. i don’t know how else to drill this into your brains. you HAVE to use your fucking critical thinking skills with this show. you have to. i’m not saying don’t have fun, clearly even a hateful cunt like me managed to have fun. fun is not the absence of critical thought. but the way i am observing others watch this show is not giving me any hints that you’re seeing the issues that have always been apparent to me. and i need you to understand that that’s terrifying in my eyes. i cannot stand you all talking about this show like it has no problems outside like, minor writing issues in later seasons. again i want to impart to you that this is a story with misogyny baked into its very foundation, and they did nothing to remove it, because they didn’t care.
#i really don’t think most tumblr users actually understand what misogyny is. like tbh.#it’s not about. fucking. liking morgana.#it’s about the fact that this show foundationally hates women#it presents masculinity as the antithesis to the ‘bad’ ‘weak’ femininity. it doesn’t give its female characters agency in their own stories#it does nothing to analyze the actual old legends from a modern perspective#it’s such a classic example of men being able to be Good in a way that women can’t#and it couldn’t even let it’s hero BE good because again. toxic masculinity from the writers.#beth.txt#like i just want everybody to stop fucking acting like this bad tv show isnt absolutely dripping in misogyny
5 notes
·
View notes
Text
I had a Good!Morgana/magic reveal idea. What if Arthur found out about Morgana’s magic? And decided to be rational and smart about it?
When the window breaks, he realises that only Morgana was anywhere near. It’s just a random thought, but then he remembers all the times her nightmares come true or that she warned him about something and he listened only for her to be right.
Then he overhears Gaius talking to someone and saying that Morgana is too close to Uther and that it’d be better if she never knew about her magic. (even though she’s loosing control and clearly terrified and in need of help, he’s furious about that because magic or no, she’s still Morgana.) Arthur storms off, not bothering to find out who Gaius was talking to because he’s just been hit by the reality that magic isn’t a choice therefore he might have to reevaluate his whole belief system because he doesn’t want to think people can be born evil.
Of course he isn’t happy about it, but Morgana is too good and she never would’ve chosen magic, she was too smart for that in Camelot and too afraid for it to be deliberate. For whatever reason, Gaius was keeping Morgana’s magic secret even from her, so he didn’t want to go to the physician. So he goes to Geoffrey, knowing that like Gaius, he knows about life before the purge.
The librarian apparently hid a bunch of illegal books? So Arthur gets reading and learns about magic, about those born with it, about those who use it for good, that magic could be like a sword to attack or defend. Then he learns that’s wrong, a stab wound is still a stab wound but if he wants to believe magic can be truly good then there has to be more to it than a weapon. He realises there’s no inherent morality in magic, just intent from the person using it and impact of those around. He starts looking at how useful magic can be, how it can heal, you get the idea.
Uther finds out somehow and summons Arthur, Morgana and the council to the throne room so he can sentence Morgana to death. No one knows how to react, but Arthur steps forward, gently pushes Morgana behind him, sending Merlin a look that says to keep her safe. Merlin nods and Morgana is trembling while he reassures her that she’s safe. He promises that no harm will come and that he’ll break her out of the citadel if he has to.
Arthur yells at Uther and eventually throws a gauntlet down, saying he’s challenging for the throne on account of madness. He basically paints Uther to be mentally unstable and therefore unfit to rule. They fight there, and like the scene where Arthur finds out about his mother, Uther is pinned to the throne when Merlin stops Arthur from killing Uther, (there’s significance to that, it wouldn’t bring Arthur peace. But Morgana ordering his execution? That helps her get closure.)
Anyway, Merlin takes the sword and holds it to Uther’s chest for Arthur, whispering something about “Morgana needs him now more than ever.” So Arthur takes Uther’s crown and orders Leon to take him to his chambers and not to let him leave. He then turns to Morgana, sees her trembling and holds out a hand to her. She looks at him suspiciously, so he sighs and tell her they’ll talk about repealing the ban once he’s figured out what to do with Uther.
Morgana frowns, so Arthur says something like “As far as I’m concerned, Camelot is your home. You’re my sister in all but blood, and I’m not going to watch you die for something you had no choice in. We’ll find you a tutor, someone to teach you control so your nightmares don’t bother you so much, and if you want it you’ll have a place on my council. As court sorceress or advisor or whatever you want.”
Then Morgana hugs him, crying and thanking him for everything. Merlin is looking proud but regretfully so because of the situation. Arthur has him clear the hallways so he can lead Morgana back to her chambers where she’ll be safe and where she won’t have to worry about anyone seeing her cry because Arthur knows she’s never really cried in front of anyone but Gwen, only ever fake tears to manipulate men in court to her favour.
They’ve got technicalities to sort out and whatever else but they work it out and basically everything ends up happily ever after.
#bbc merlin#merlin#arthur pendragon#morgana#good morgana#merlin emrys#ao3 fanfic#merlin bbc#i’m bad at tagging#fic ideas#fuck uther#uther pendragon#gaius merlin#bbc uther#fuck gaius#he’s like the fourth worst person in the show#I get why he didn’t tell Morgana about her powers#like I understand the nuance there#but at the same time he’s a fucking idiot for it
65 notes
·
View notes
Text
unpopular opinion maybe but: out of all of the villains in the TOA trilogy, the only one that made me feel genuine fear was angor rot. with nothing to lose and nothing binding him to anyone after losing his soul, he was able to destroy everything because he had nothing to live for. yeah yeah morgana and gunmar had bigger armies and bigger world domination plans, but i would much rather have to fight them than the guy who is (rightfully) insane whose lost everything
#god i love this show#yeah gunmar and morgana have spent many years in simmering rage playing the long game to execute their vengeance#but angor rot?? guns blazing every fucking time#like this guy has killed so many people under the guise of getting his freedom back and idk about y’all#but nothing is scarier than fucking over someone who loses the tiny shard of hope they were holding onto#i can’t even blame him tho like he’s so right for going insane i would also go insane#trollhunters tales of arcadia#ttoa#angor rot#trollhunters
114 notes
·
View notes
Text
Thinking about how Ryuji was treated like shit and was isolated in school before Akira/Protagonist transferred and that he’s so use to it that everyone in the Phantom Thieves just make shots at him so casually but he doesn’t nearly give them as much as they give him. Mind, he was the first one who actually befriends Akira and goes into the Palace with him and has some good combos with the others. But they still treat him bad.
#I was thinking it while at Sakura’s Arc#and like#fuck most of them mostly Morgan#I like Morgana but like - he’s harsh for no reason#at the others have some cause#like when Ryuji lets his impatience get the better of him#But like Morgana almost borks two missions and no one got on him about it#and idk that doesn’t track#i love this boy#so I defend him#ryuji sakamoto#persona 5#persona 5 royal#persona series
34 notes
·
View notes
Note
*smashes in like the Kool-Aid man*
PENDRAGON SIBLINGS YOU SAY????
I have. So many Feels. About Themst™
The complexity?? The layers?? The angst?? Hello??????
Their relationship is just So Much, because you are right, it's all tangled up in miscommunication and missed opportunities, and so many problems that can be sourced back to Uther "War Crimes" Pendragon, who wouldn't know a healthy relationship if it bit him on the ass.
If Merlin and Arthur are two sides of the same coin, then Arthur and Morgana are edges of the same blade.
Because it's the lonely childhoods, the shared grief, the friendship, the vulnerability, the fondness, the teasing, the envy, the jealousy, the almost romance, the protectiveness, the betrayal, the loss, the hurt, the refusal to let go and the desperate hanging on, and the love, the love, the love.
Indifference is the true opposite of love.
Hate is love that's gone rotten.
“If Merlin and Arthur are two sides of the same coin, then Arthur and Morgana are edges of the same blade.” oh fuck….
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCK
WAIT HOLD ON WAIT LEMME PIGGYBACK ON THAT BESTIE @0hheytherebigbadwolf (tagging you bc it will be a couple days after you sent this ask)
(Also, for anyone wanting background context on what me and bestie are bouncing off on: voilà)
OK OK SO
we are all familiar with King Uther being the greatest (worst) dad of all time, correct? places such high expectations on his “only son and heir” whilst never officially acknowledging Morgana as his daughter until the very end?
F+ father of the year :)
he is not above sending his children into the dungeon if they disobey him as seen here:
(Jfc he even put Morgana in chains like wtf)
also, he is not above using emotional guilt towards them when he deems it necessary (aka one of the only times he actually acknowledges them as his children)
UTHER (1x02 Valiant)
I trust you will make me proud.
UTHER (1x08 The Beginning of the End)
I’ve treated you like a daughter. Is this how you repay me?
UTHER (1x12 To Kill the King)
You are the daughter I never had.
UTHER (2x08 Sins of the Father)
You would believe a sorcerer’s lies over the word of your father?
not to mention that when Arthur or Morgana try to reason with him or argue with him since they are the only ones with the status to do so, he pulls rank
UTHER (1x12 To Kill the King)
May I remind you that you are speaking to your King [...] Take care, child, or I’ll have you restrained.
UTHER (2x08 Sins of the Father)
I am your king and your father. You will show me some respect!
UTHER (2x06 Beauty and the Beast)
We live in dangerous times, I cannot allow you to undermine my authority.
UTHER (3x10 Queen of Hearts)
You have caused this to happen, Arthur. My decision is final.
ngl i could include more but i have already spent hours searching for shit (YOUTUBE WILL DIE BY MY HAND THAT STINGY BITC—) but y’all get what i mean: Uther is an abusive fucker and it has messed up the conditions of Arthur and Morgana
now, about the double edged blade…..
as previously established, Uther is a fucking dick and wants his children to obey him but also adore him. with this behavior, the Pendragon siblings react in two ways: with anger & contempt or submission and remorse
way #1
i’m gonna start with Morgana because anger is the easiest to pick out throughout the show. in the first episode of the first season, our introduction to Morgana’s character is her lecturing Uther about executing the man Merlin witnessed upon entering Camelot (such a warm welcome for Emrys, mh?)
MORGANA
I just don't think chopping someone's head off is cause for a celebration. That poor mother.
UTHER
It was simple justice for what he'd done.
MORGANA
To whom? He practiced some magic, he didn't hurt anyone.
UTHER
You were not around twenty years ago, you have no idea what it was like.
MORGANA
How long are you going to keep punishing people for what happened then?
early on, it is easy to pick up on Morgana’s resentment and anger at Uther, who she believes is blinded by his fear of magic and his need for control (which she isn’t wrong about). also, we find that she isn’t one to back off when poking the bear (Uther). she does it constantly in seasons 1 & 2
MORGANA (1x03 Mark of Nimueh)
Why would she kneel on a cold stone floor morning after morning when she could make these things happen with a snap of her fingers? Like an idle king!
MORGANA (1x08 The Beginning of the End)
How can this child be your enemy? He's just a boy.
UTHER
He is a Druid.
MORGANA
Is that such a crime?…What have these people done to you? Why are you so full of hate?
UTHER (2x04 Lancelot and Guinevere)
How many men would you have me sacrifice to save a servant?
MORGANA
As many as it takes!
to be honest, i wouldn’t be surprised if screaming, arguing and berating Uther about his morals and ethics is her way of proving that she is not weak or submissive to his actions. i mean, Morgana grew up in a household the complete opposite from her time in Camelot. Gorlois, the man whom Morgana considers to be her father and one and only family member, was said to be “just” and “kind” and someone that Uther even considered a good friend who openly kept him in check. Morgana, until the age of ten, understood parental love and empathy unlike Arthur, who spent his whole life without any good or healthy substance of it.
the culture of Camelot and Uther’s wrath is not something Morgana was ever able to fully acclimate to as Uther himself pointed out in 1x12. She “was at odds with [him] since the beginning” and could never picture herself as a Pendragon (point further proven in 4x05: she looked revolted when Queen Annis compared her to Uther) because she didn’t share in their idea of magic = evil and a king = absolute control.
ironic in terms of future plot events, isn’t it :’)
way #2
compare that to Arthur: man’s respressed af. keeps all his emotions under lock and key if they are anything but haughty and serious. y’all, Arthur even says it himself how he “[can't] disagree with Father [Uther] in public.” whenever Arthur finds himself at odds with Uther, he holds his tongue and waits until he can disobey secretly (2x05 when he leaves to rescue Gwen, 1x08 when he helps Morgana sneak out Mordred in the dark of the night, 2x08 when he sneaks out to meet Morgause for more info about his mom, etc). it is only the rare moments when Arthur feels impassioned enough to speak up without fearing any retribution does Arthur talk back at him (so satisfying 👌)
ARTHUR (1x03 Mark of Nimueh)
[Morgana’s] right, Father. You hear the word magic, you no longer listen.
ARTHUR (2x08 Sins of the Father)
This is what fuels your hatred for those who practice magic. Rather than blame yourself for what you did, you blame them….You hunted her kind like animals! How many hundreds have you condemned to death to ease your guilt?!….You speak of honour and nobility! You're nothing but a hypocrite and a liar!
ARTHUR (3x10 Queen of Hearts)
You can't forbid my feelings any more than I can. I won't deny them any longer, I love her. I love Guinevere.
we can even compare how the two react to Uther’s violence towards them
(ahahahahahaaaaa what a wonderful dad)
on the left, you see Arthur’s face right when Uther crushes the morteus flower needed to heal Merlin (his manservant/friend/????) and on the right, is Morgana after Uther discovers she was harboring a Druid child in her chambers and she refuses to listen to his reason.
notice how both faces are remarkably similar 👀
however, Arthur’s look of shock and dismay come from his hope that Uther would do the right thing. that he would help save Merlin’s life from dying of poison. that he wouldn’t use this as a method to teach Arthur “what it means to disobey and cross the king.” he truly did hope, just like he always does with the people he holds close. Arthur cannot help but hope and trust that those close to him will not betray him and yet so many do. hence the remorse
looking at Morgana, her shock comes from the fact that this might be the first time Uther reacted to her words and actions in a physical manner. my suspicion is that most of the time, all Morgana previously got was Uther reprimanding her and yelling at her to stop questioning his methods (bc, let’s be real, she was the favorite child.) never has he lifted a finder on her like Arthur and i have proof (cue transcript!)
AND! and, Arthur is constantly warning Morgana about not angering Uther any further because of the consequences she might face (consequences this boy is very familiar with) when Uther deems it necessary to “teach” his children obedience.
UTHER (1x04 The Poisoned Chalice)
You have to learn there's a right and a wrong way of doing things. I'll see you're let out in a week. Then you can find yourself another servant.
UTHER (3x10 Queen of Hearts)
You have caused this to happen, Arthur. My decision is final [...] This is for your own good.
-
UTHER
She will die. The enchantment will be broken. You'll see I was right.
UTHER (2x08 Sins of the Father)
I am protecting you from your own foolishness!
so educational 🥰 but see, because Uther presents his punishments as lessons, Arthur himself views them as just a fucked up but meaningful way of his father’s concern because “yeah, I am the first born son and only heir to the throne. of course I need to learn not to do silly things like disobey, talk back to him, be my own person.” <- I’m paraphrasing here
Arthur does and has never seen a way out of the life thrust upon him by Uther (see 3x06). succeeding Uther as king, marrying a noblewoman of high standing for heirs and alliance strength was always expected of him. Arthur never saw a way out of this. even when he and Gwen were in their secret relationship phase, Arthur had to remind himself that this would never last. he loved her and knew she loved him, but there was always that reminder (that sounded a lot like Uther) in the back of his head telling him that it would never last so long as he was prince. he had a duty (constructed by Uther) to serve Camelot and going against his father would mean (in his eyes) that he is going against Camelot (as Uther always presented it to be).
so unlike Morgana, he did not kick and scream but stood firm because that was what he believed was stronger. if he stayed in his lane and did his part, then he would be a good king, maybe even a better one than his father, for Camelot. however, the show proves that differentiating himself from Uther actually made him the better king and more respected, but this is not the meta for that. I am getting side tracked.
OK: so we’ve established parental issues between the two siblings. now onto their very complex, complicated yet beloved dynamic
sO, as i mentioned in this post (because i am lazy and too tired to copy/paste the evidence from there), these siblings do care for one another. they just go about it in the most hilarious and repressed and in-denial way (hilarious to me 😤)
when we meet them, it’s established that these two have known each other for some time. enough for them to bicker and have banter, you know, as you do with a Pendragon. also, should add, neither character are ever aware they are blood-related until s3 (because of some weak-ass bitch named Uther), so you have that very, uh, interesting subplot in s1 that everybody forgets about until you rewatch it. (honestly, I have so many questions. number 1: why???? number 2: it’s only in s1—was it scrapped??? is it like it never existed???? what was its purpose to the plot??? bbc explain yourself—)
however, despite how much it is shown that they do care for one another, they’re relationship in s1 is still undefined and vague as if they also don’t know how to accurately define what the other means to them. it’s very similar to the whole “i really love this person so much but is what i’m feeling platonic, familial, or romantic?” because….you know, guy and girl besties who are close are typically expected to grow romantic feelings for each other, so tbh i would not be surprised if both mistook their love as romantically inclined in the beginning bc, reminder, neither of them were aware they were siblings until much later.
[and this is ALL i am saying on this subplot. i do not want to cause any negative discourse, so if anyone has a few choice words about it, either keep it to yourself or feel free to talk about it with people you know. personally? not a fan of the ship and never will be, but i am not here to post about that.]
anyway, have some featured receipts showing Arthur and Morgana slipping up and showing how much they care for each other.
SEE!!!! LOOK AT HOW THE CARE!!!! SEE HOW THEY WORRY FOR THE OTHER AND WISH TO PROTECT THEM FROM HARM!!! (and see how even when they’re on opposite sides there is still that same love. just more warped and corrupted T^T)
^worried/protective Morgana
^Arthur’s face after Merlin informs him that there’s an intruder heading to Morgana’s chambers
Morgana is very aware of Arthur’s trusting nature. Arthur is very aware of Morgana’s empathy and righteous nature. they understand each other so well which is why Morgana knew just how to harm Arthur in later seasons and why Morgana’s betrayal hit Arthur so hard. it’s also why he never stopped trying to reach out to her in s4 & s5. as @merlinemrys said in this lovely post, the show’s driving force is love. love of all kinds. whatever conflict it is, love is there at the center of it all and, in Arthur and Morgana’s case, it does not save them (just like how love does not save Merlin or Arthur from what lies ahead, as the op of the post pointed out).
that is what makes their relationship/love be like a double edged sword!! that is why they are edges of the same blade!!! they protect and fight for what they believe in and for the people they love, but the same blades cut deep and twist their wounds into a lasting scar.
it is because of Arthur’s love for Morgana that he cannot help but hope and mourn the woman he once knew. it is because of Morgana’s love for Arthur that her feelings of hatred are so strong and ugly.
like honestly,
look at them T^T compared to before
their relationship is so tragic T^T because we knew them before it all went wrong. we knew they cared and understood each other. we knew that for some time, they only had each other to rely on for a friend, a crutch, a breather for when the royal life was too much. both of them were fighters and strive to honor their values. both of them had once leaned on the other for support, had wanted nothing but happiness for each other.
fuck, they didn’t even get the chance to really be siblings because they found out too late, and by then Morgana was on a war path and Arthur only found out at the last minute.
like fuck, man
two sides of the same blade: forged with love, yet used for blood
screencaps brought to you by me, @sourdough-morbread, and farfarawaysite
#i will spare you the gorey details of me trying to fine decent screencaps & screenshots for this fucking post or else i’ll get pissed again#(i am considering whether it is worth it to go to war with youtube)#special thanks to my bestie mor for being there for me at the gorey times and helping me find more screenshots#fucking love you bestie 💕💕💕💕#also only including s1-2 bc i am tired and they are the ones where we get pendragon siblings not trying to kill each other#forgive me for always bringing up uther and the pendragon sibs’ upbringing with him it will happen again#also after hours of rereading transcripts and rewatching clips of bbc merlin: it is so obvious that uther cared and treated Morgana like hi#own child more than Arthur. like jfc he let’s her get away with so much stuff he is way for gentle with his words towards her#when he realizes that he was too cruel or rude like bro…..where tf was that for arthur#it just adds to the complicated sibling dynamic because there is the added jealousy and resentment of knowing a parent loved another more#literally most of Morgana’s time with Uther was her at odds with him and yet he views her as his child more#well no ducking dur that Arthur ‘i-would-do-anything-to-receive-my-father’s-love-attention-and-pride’ Pendragon resents Morgana for#always being the one Uther goes easier on and finds ways to turn a blind eye for like wtf#also during my research i was reminded of how done dirty Gwen’s story was by bbc#loses her father to a king fearful of magic barely gets to mourn him bc she now has to keep up the smithy and her maid job; reunites#with her brother who’s been AWOL for some years and still they don’t get a moment to talk about their dad and mourn TOGETHER#her storyline is pushed aside by s4 bc now she’s fulfilling the role of Arthur’s love interest and oh yeah they still need to incorporate#the lanceot/guinevere scandal and then banish her for some episodes without even letting her brother be mad about it like ?????#anyway#continued saga of fluffy rereading transcripts -> uther: ‘it’s been a long time since Ygraine…since anyone’ me: ducking liar >:(#[sir leon begins the slow clap] king you dropped this 👑IT IS 1AM HELP 😂#place your bets on where my laziness for evidence came in! (I honestly don’t know lol scavenging evidence is all a blur)#spent 2 days on this post lol#me: ok i think that’s enough evidence for this argument…………ok maybe ONE more won’t hur—#me after day 2: ….am i done???? am i free????#pendragon siblings coming behind me with a steel chair: nah mate!#me: FUCK THERE’S MORE#bbc merlin#merlin meta#pendragon sibs
63 notes
·
View notes
Text
You ever see a piece of media that is very blatantly meant for adult consumption but for some reason, the fan base around it is ultimately comprised of packs of rabid 12 year olds who shouldn't be indulging in the media in the first place and utterly lack critical thinking or comprehension and couldn't understand nuance or perspective if you gave them baby's first homework assignment on it?
#morgana whinings#i was rewatching an old show and made the mistake of checking the tag#granted it's a very popular show#but for some reason it is FILLED with children who literally can't comprehend the writing#like the type of show that has insane violence and themes that are not appropriate for uhh KIDS#where the fuck are your parents#kids who are young enough to believe shit like daydreaming is 'shifting'#and literally lack the world experience and comprehension to even indulge in this media with a semblance of understanding#i really try not to be a boomer about most things but i really believe parents should... idk.... be parents?#like kids playing morrowind or watching game of thrones#sometimes its harmless#other times its seriously worrying#i know kids wanna grow up so fast and they always think theyre smarter and wiser than they are#its a perpetual problem in the video game and writing community#i understand it and i remember it#but sometimes adults aren't 'being mean' by keeping you out#sometimes you need to be an adult enough to realize not everything is within your comprehension#and youre a child making an ass of yourself in what is a fully adult fan space for a reason
41 notes
·
View notes
Text
the way morgana sealed her own fate by not just killing merlin when she had the chance, only because she wanted him to die slowly, alone, desperate and in pain
#congrats girl you played yourself#am I thinking about that cave scene again#yes#but also when she poisoned him in The Hollow Queen#like girl just fucking kill him come on#it's villainy 101#merlin and morgana#morgana pendragon#merlin#*
79 notes
·
View notes
Text
me explaining how everything would’ve been different after bbc merlin episode 2.08 the sins of the father if morgause had juST USED THAT DAMNED CRYSTAL SOONER and seen arthur actually fighting uther and being lied to and manipulated back into thinking uther was right because tHEN SHE COULDVE SOUGHT HIM OUT BUT ALONE THIS TIME AND DEFENDED HERSELF AND GOTTEN ARTHUR ON HER SIDE and then when she reached out to morgana the three of them would’ve teamed up and brought uther to his knees
#idk where merlin fits into this but TBH i am feeling decidedly uncharitable towards him rn so i dONT CARE#arthur decides to include him in their scheming after morgana tells gwen bc he feels lonely#and morgause is like youre an IDIOT why would you want him included in this when he so OBVIOUSLY is against magic#but then morganas like no wait but he knows abt my magic and hes been cool abt it#(which is a shock in and of itself but ANYWAY) (ohhh sort of like the mordred situation tbh)#and anyways so merlin gets included but he and morgause are like Really Terrible with each other and hes like UHHHHH MAYBE WE SHOULDNT#but then arthurs like shut up merlin#anyway etc etc uther dies or is forced to abdicate and arthur takes the throne#oh idk when merlin would confess his magic though. OH NO I KNOW#HES ARGUING WITH ARTHUR ABOUT THE PLAN TO TAKE UTHER DOWN AND ARTHURS LIKE morgause was right i shouldnt have told you#youre on his side arent you? and is just like fully convinced that merlin hates magic and stuff until merlin gets annoyed n hysterical#and yells I FUCKING AM MAGIC YOU CLOTPOLE#etc etc.#ok bye#ignore me#bbc merlin#2.08
114 notes
·
View notes
Text
I'm really intrigued by Uther and Merlin's dynamic because Uther actually sees Merlin as a human being? And it's really weird because Merlin's a peasant and a servant but Uther looks at Merlin and confides in him and asks after his son like Merlin is a person worth listening to. And this is Uther 'Just Get Another Servant' Pendragon. I think after the Poisoned Chalice he realized how much Merlin mattered to Arthur and was like. Fuck I guess so. Plus he was Gaius' nephew and also Morgana liked him so-
I think it was the perfect storm for him to look a this farm boy and see a human being tbh
#bbc merlin#I think the weirdest thing that really highlights this is the Witchhunter episode tbh#When Aridian demands to search Merlin's chambers and Uther fucking looks at Merlin as if in permission#That's the fucking genocidal king of Camelot and he said 'merlin?' as if Merlin had any say in the matter#Plus he let Merlin plead Gaius' case afterword like ik Arthur advocated for it but still#Also the amount of times he let Merlin off the hook is insane.#Like when Merlin let the goblin loose? He was like don't let it happen again. And that was a fucking magical creature?#He was going to burn Alice for the same reason basically#Anyways feeling insane about the amount of liberties Merlin was allowed to take with the royal family lol#Also also the Sophia episode when he was scolding Merlin and was like if this was wartime you'd be flogged#And Merlin replies 'but since it isn't you'll let it go just this once?' SIR THAT'S THE BLOODKING OF CAMELOT#And all Uther does is put him in the stocks??#I feel like Gaius and Morgana and Arthur were all working overtime for this boys safety tbh
11 notes
·
View notes
Text
lord doesn't know how i adore doomed lovers to enemies wlw pairings where one of them is an insane(ly) powerful CUNT (affectionately) who became like this because of everyone fucking her over and the other is a more gentle and caring girlie who loves/respects her bonkers woman very much but there's some betrayal heartbreaks and dumb men involved, like this is what i breath for
#this is about ulla&signy#rhaenicent#and#morgwen#by the fucking way!#i you don't like either of it SHOOO#merlin bbc#ulla morozova#grishaverse#morgana pendragon#guinevere pendragon#alicent hightower#rhaenyra targaryen#hotd
165 notes
·
View notes
Text
finally had the guts to watch the finale again. takes me months to work up the nerve. the result? destroyed me again
#“just hold me” hits like that fucking blue truck#the FOREHEAD TOUCH#merlin screaming arthur's name bringing him back from the brink for a second#arthur not being able to take his eyes off morgana as she dies#until merlin picks him up and he chuckles and says “brought peace at last” like ?!?!?!?!?!?!?! are you FUCKING KIDDING me#gwen being so filled with pride about merlin protecting arthur and the kingdom all this time#they way her eyes are so bright and full of tears but she's so strong and so proud of her friend#merlin tracking arthur with his eyes so determined to keep him conscious and focussed on him when he jokes around#“wait a second does that mean you're doing to give me a day off?” joking so casual whilst following his gaze and keeping eye contact#the whispered panicked smile “stay with me” as if he didn't just scream arthur back from death#don't even get me STARTED about gwaine.#gaius saying he's going to have merlin's favourite meal waiting for him when he comes back#i don't even have the words to unpack that
7 notes
·
View notes
Text
Do you guys ever think about morgana and the faerie king . Because i do
#thinking about morgana vefore she was absolutely miserable is painful#also the faerie king is nb because why the fuck would faeries have gender like that .#bayonetta#cereza and the lost demon#bayonetta fanart#my art
12 notes
·
View notes
Text
ermmmmm hk s/i loredump below 👍👍 (there will be spoilers as I will plainly say it)
ivie is born in hallownest as a small one but is sadly an orphan, her family's kind is still a mystery to her but the only creature who took her in was salubra the charm lover - she became ivie's mother figure, was born and raised under her care. ivie doesn't know the world beyond where she is (and that includes the history behind the pale king) but she only knows select routes (she also regularly visits dirtmouth, the only town that has some company) that salubra told about. as a grown firefly she usually runs errands for her mother figure since she has the ability to fly with ease, and exploration isn't hard for her because she can light her way in dark places with no problem. the issue with ivie is that she's dangerously curious for her own kind and would drive herself to risky paths just to answer her wonders.
when the infection began to crack due to the inability of the THK to continue to contain it, it started to eventually affect the minds of simple bugs with orange fumes, it didn't reach her YET, but she carried on with her daily chores requested by salubra - however this day, was a huge favor - more than a daily chore. she was told to look for lifeblood seeds so it meant she'd have to wander farther than the usual.
it took her a whole day to look for a lifeblood cocoon (the one located in king's pass, and also where the little knight appears). her curiosity to the king's edge made her lost, but it made her all the more excited to keep going even if it was getting riskier. and that was then, when the infection started seeping into her mind and taking her into the deeper paths into the unknown. she felt her intellectual rights leave her consciousness as the infection pulls her to insanity as most bugs would. like sly and bretta who nearly succumbed to the illness, she sat alone in a corner with confused mumblings to herself, the only thing she could mutter was her mother figure for help. not saying salubra, but mother. everything was hurting. her body kept pricking and it felt like she was going to explode, her wings started to become brittle and tore little by little.
it has been a day and a half since she was infected.
though miraculously, she was rescued by the little knight who gave her a little tap on the head, and shook her back to reality. everything was a blur, a confusion to her. but she was saved by the little vessel. she thanked them for the help, and tried to explain her reason to be in such a dark lonely place. to express gratitude, she leads the knight to the actual place where the lifeblood cocoon is situated, and shared it with them. she had to leave immediately, knowing someone would worry about her - and so she took off, hoping she'd meet the little knight again.
following back home, appearing more fragile and weakened than ever - she comes back to salubra who was worried sick for her and immediately went to check on her. she did not understand what ivie meant when she explains that she felt her consciousness being erased, or that she felt like she was going mad - it's all a garbled mess of trauma. salubra calmed her down, but realized the state of her wings. ivie brought the lifeblood seeds as requested, but salubra felt the need to use this for her, as it's actually quite the magic for healing - and so she allowed her to recover with the labour she brought in.
it did not change the state of the wings however, they're forever tarnished and ripped. would she ever fly again? salubra realized she might've been... too needy on her ability to fly, and thought maybe it's best she should stop relying on ivie. but this little experienced actually provoked an inspiration on ivie.
she has to see what hallownest has to offer.
her injury was nothing but an experience, it was horrifying yes, but made her realize there's so much curiosities in the kingdom she has yet to see - so she told salubra that she wants go on her own adventure to explore and she is more than willing to share the wealth with her mother with whatever she comes across.
and from that moment on, ivie became a wanderer, keen to find anything and everything to answer what she wants to know - and possibly, the past of her family.
extras:
- during ivie's recovery, she mentions about the little knight that recused her - so when the knight actually does visit salubra, the charm lover would immediately recognize them and respect them wholly. (she still has the same sentiments as her canon dialogue would say, just plus the "you saved my daughter" gratitude)
- ivie would also act like a merchant except you MIGHT see her appear in random locations (like cornifer) to sell charms (that are also the same as what salubra sells)
#YAYYYYY I WROTE IT YAYYY#YES YALL i really love salubra too!!!! shes just. i love her deep giggly voice i know shes the tita everyone likes because shes generous#i had a little ueueue noise when i bought her “blessing” (which is her juet giving ghost a mwamwa) I LOVE HER#shes like the charismatic ursula to divine's morgana LMAOOOO#~ rambling#i left ivie's family anonymous because i dont know what to plan for her family - i like to imagine maybe they came from pharloom but-#we dont have much knowledge about pharloom. SILKSONG FUCKING COME OUT‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️
12 notes
·
View notes
Note
Okay, but like...what if in "Queen of Hearts," Arthur followed through on his threat before Morgana did her sorcery frame-up, and he and Gwen just dipped (with Merlin, obviously)? Like, he leaves an Official Statement of Resignation on his desk with his signet ring, renouncing his claim to the throne and all that? The three of them are halfway to Essetir before anyone notices they're gone.
And on the way, they just happen to chance across some smugglers? Logic dictates that Tristan and Isolde started their hustle during Uther's reign for them to be as good as they are in S4 when Arthur had only been king a few months tops. They're still initially suspicious, ofc, but they warm up a lot faster considering the situation, and they're always down with someone who says "fuck the king" with their whole chest. The trio takes up with them bc they're always on the move and make a living on not being found, which is exactly what they need rn because Uther will be looking for them.
But if they want to stay, they gotta contribute. House rules.
Now, insofar, Tristan and Isolde are strictly transport. They're more or less fences. They don't do the actual theft part. But the trio can. Arthur can blend right in with the rich people they rip off, and he's bougie enough to pick out the Good Shit and pass on the knockoffs. Merlin and Gwen can blend right in with the servants to case the joint and swipe the goods, not to mention Gwen's knowledge of metalworking means being able to dismantle jewelry pieces without damaging them and making them untraceable, and Merlin can cover their tracks with magic (he'd have told them after they left) and create distractions as needed.
Arthur does have a small crisis when he realises he makes a better grifter than a prince, but then it's just really funny. He is now the Once and Future King of Thieves. Tristan and Isolde are the envy of the black market scene bc of their "secret weapons."
Bonus points if this is how they meet the rest of the squad bc legit the only knight that isn't a confirmed criminal is Percival, but he's also besties with Lancelot, so it's implied he might be.
Knights of the Criminal Enterprise.
you could have just kissed me on the spot you know
#god i'm in love with this concept#never thought i'd find a canon divergent merwenthur au where they're the top dogs of Albion's criminal empire#s5 is them realizing that camelot is in deep shit bc morgana took up the throne after they left and arthur still loves his kingdom#he's conflicted about going back bc 1) that's his home and it deserves better 2) he likes his life rn 3) he's in denial about morgana's#corruption arc no matter how many times he hears about ('that's not gana merlin those people don't know her like i do' and merlin doesn't#have the heart to tell arthur about her plots to kill both him and uther and gwen) it's not until leon arrives that arthur has to accept it#also elyan introduces merwenthur to tristan & isolde bc obvi he left with the gang (he promised her that he'd always be there and he intend#to keep that promise!)#lancelot when he meets the gang during a heist and he's their target's bodyguard ('...fancy meeting you here' 'literally what the fuck')#the tristan adoption process happens faster in this au bc tristan isn't aware that arthur (affectionately called wart) is the prince#gwen putting her smithing skills to good use and having them be acknowledged????? well mark me down as a swooning damsel#her and elyan being a dynamic duo when it comes to smelting or forging a quarter master's keys#bbc merlin#merwenthur#once and future king of thieves#or Albion's Oceans 11#arthur pendragon#gwen#merlin emrys#tristan and isolde#headcanons
111 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
decaffeinatedfirelover
Untitled
m00nshad0ws
Moonshadows
chrysalis-chris
Cats 🐛 And Butts 🦋
sprite-writes-fanfic
🎐Sprite🪻Writes🎐
{On Hiatus!}
socialalpha07
Social Alpha 7